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HG Wells

Resting in the hand of the author is the cavorite sphere spaceship from The First Men in the Moon while on the back of his chair the date 802,701AD is inscribed - the year the time traveller meets the Morlocks and Eloi in The Time Machine.

Creeping across the base of the statue is alien red weed from The War of the Worlds.

Wells put Woking on the map in the late 19th Century by choosing Horsell Common as the location for his Martian landing in the science fiction novel, The War of the Worlds.

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He moved to Woking in May 1895, staying less than 18 months but proving a productive time in his career.

During this time Wells wrote The War of the Worlds and The Invisible Man, completed The Island of Dr Moreau, wrote and published both The Wonderful Visit and pioneering cycle novel, The Wheels of Chance – all influenced by his time in Woking.

Descendents of the author joined with dignitaries in Woking for the unveiling.

HG Wells statue unveiled at the Lightbox in Woking (Image: TMS)

Councillor John Kingsbury, leader of Woking Borough Council, said: “It is with delight and honour we welcome many of HG Wells’s extended family to the official unveiling of this unique bronze statue on the 150th anniversary of his birth.

“Wells is arguably one of the nation’s greatest literary talents and public intellectuals of his time.

“Whilst his time in Woking was brief, it was also one of his most prolific as an author. Not many places can boast such as strong heritage, Woking does, and we should be proud of it.

“It is only right that this stunning bronze statue represents a fitting tribute to HG Wells and his connection with Woking that will inspire future generations of young people to continue Wells’s legacy.”

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HG Wells's Woking legacy

Speaking about his creation, sculptor Wesley Harland, said: “As a fan of George Herbert Wells, it has been as honour to have been chosen to create this public statue of the great man.

“As well as improving our surroundings, I believe that public sculpture should inspire and engage people.

“I hope that this statue not only provides a fitting tribute to the author but stimulates the interest of people passing to pick up a novel by Wells.”

Stephen Baxter, president of the British Science Fiction Association and vice president of the HG Wells Society, said: “HG Wells was in this very small town for a very brief period but in that time he produced a novel that changed forever mankind’s view of our infinite future in infinite space.

“Wesley Harland’s fine statue is a fitting memorial to that pivotal place and time.”

The statue will remain on display at The Lightbox Gallery and Museum until autumn 2017 before moving to its permanent home outside Victoria Gate, as part of the Wells in Woking Heritage Trail.

For more information about HG Wellz and his connection to Woking, as well as the heritage trail, visit www.wellsinwoking.info.